EVEN as Ara Galang admits to being “saktuhan na lang” these days, she continues to enjoy tremendous fan support, as shown by the balloting for the 2026 PVL All-Star showcase set on May 1 in Candon City.
Galang emerged as the early frontrunner in the opposite hitter vote for Team Heart after the first fan vote returns, pacing her position with 37.66 percent
READ: Jia, Kim Fajardo lead PVL All-Star fan voting after first returns
The multi-awarded 31-year-old winger admitted she’s simply trying to keep pace in a league that has since welcomed a wave of younger stars. But if the first All-Star fan vote returns are any indication, Galang remains very much in the conversation.
“I’m happy and flattered at the same time kasi marami na ring mga bago, at ngayon kasi, saktuhan lang din naman ‘yung galaw ko,” Galang told SPIN.ph.
Even with that self-assessment, Galang, who has seen the sport evolve through the years, took the support as a reminder of how far she’s come and how long loyal fans have stayed behind her.
“Thankful ako na gusto pa rin nila akong makasama sa All-Star. Opposite ‘yung pwesto ko du’n, pero regardless, happy naman ako and thank you sa lahat ng sumusuporta sa’kin,” Galang said.
Asked about possible teammates, she shrugged off any preferences, choosing instead to embrace the uncertainty that comes with the All-Star format.
“Marami pa naman akong hindi nakakakampi. Wala namang specific pero bahala na kung makasama at kung sinong makakasama,” she added.
‘GaDez’ in one team?
If early voting trends hold, fans may finally get a glimpse of a long-anticipated pairing between Galang and her storied college rival Alyssa Valdez.
Valdez currently sits second in the outside hitter voting for Team Heart behind Capital1 super rookie Bella Belen, one whose sporting idol is Galang herself, putting her on track for a sensational attacking partnership in the All-Star Game should the vote hold.
It’s a dream pairing that has long been romanticized by volleyball fans, considering the two stars never became teammates in the club leagues nor in the national team.
That possibility isn’t lost on Galang.
“Never ko pa siya [Alyssa] naging teammate. Kahit na hindi ko ka-diagonal kasi nga opposite ako du’n, exciting ‘yun and siyempre, masaya ‘yun,” she said.
Come what may, one thing is clear: Galang still commands a following and she intends to make it count.
“Sa walang sawang suporta at tiwala niyo sa’kin, hopefully, masuklian ko ‘yung suporta niyo sa’kin,” she said.
The PVL All-star voting will run until April 11 through pvl.ph/allstar.
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